Hutchinson Community Foundation awards $8,000 grant to Buhler Public Library for facility improvements

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Fund for Reno County, a program of Hutchinson Community Foundation, has awarded $8,000 to Buhler Public Library to support a Community Library Improvement project aimed at transforming the library into a more welcoming and visible community destination.

The grant, issued through Hutch CF's Community & Economic Development grant program as part of the 2025 Impact Cycle 2, will fund two key enhancements: an interactive wall mural inside the library and a new exterior awning along the library's Main Street frontage.

Library officials said the improvements are designed to raise community awareness of the library's offerings and reinforce its identity as an engaging space for visitors of all ages — both inside and out.

"Buhler Public Library wants to make the library a destination that visitors will want to return to," according to project materials submitted to the foundation.

The exterior awning will update the library's street-front appearance on Main Street, while the interior mural is intended to add a fun, interactive element for patrons.

The grant was awarded through the Fund for Reno County, which channels philanthropic resources toward projects that strengthen communities and support economic development across Reno County.

Hutchinson Community Foundation administers the fund as part of its broader mission to invest in the long-term vitality of the region.